Automatic door lock



Feb. 20, 1945. J. A. BURGARD AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK Filed Jan. 12,

W i v automobiles, trucks, aircraft, etc.

A Patented Feb. 20, 1945 Joseph A. Burgard, Los Angeles, Calif. Application January 12, 1942, Serial No. 426,423

6 Claims. (Cl. 180-82)- This invention relates to door locks and relates more particularly to automatic door locks for vehicles. A general object .of this invention is toprovide a practical, dependable and very inexpensive automatic door lock for vehicles such as It is highly desirable to positively lock the doors of an automobile, truck, or the like, to prevent children and other passengers from falling from the vehicle when the same isinmotion, and to prevent highwaymen, etc. from gaining anentrance to the vehicle.

latches to hold the doors closed and the operators of some vehicles are in the habit of locking the latches with the usual manual lock means. These -manual looks or latches are readily opened by children and may be accidentally opened b'y a person falling against them. Further, it is extremely inconvenient to latch each door of the vehicle each time the vehicle is started and then unlatch the doors when the passengers are to alight. The problem has been recognized by the prior art but the automatic door looks that have been proposed are either'inadequate or are so expensive to produce and install ,that they are wholly impractical.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic door lock for vehicles that may be inexpensively produced and embodied in the vehicles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safety lock or automatic lock for vehicles which may be easily and inexpensively added to or inan automatic door locking means of the character referred to-which maybe incorporated in the vehicle at the time of its manufacture, or following its manufacture,at a minimum of expense,,only necessitating the employment of some electrical wiring, additional contacts at the out out or circuit breaker, and simple electromagnets atthe conventional door locks. v

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic vehicle door lock means that is practical and dependable and entirely automatic in operation. Theautomatic door lock means of the invention requires no manual operation or attention and automatically goes into operation when the engine of the vehicle is operated beyond a predetermined speed.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic door lock means for vehicles that 'It has been the general practice to dependupon theconventional door,

may be readily embodied in standard or conventional vehicle constructions without necessitating alteration of the vehicle door'or door frame struc- Y ture and requiring only a minimum alteration I or addition to the conventional door looks.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following. detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the ac-, companying drawing, in which:

. Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram of the present invention as embodied in or associated with the electrical lighting and ignition system of an automotive vehicle. Fig. -2 is a fragmentary side view of a conventional automobile door lock showing an electromagnetic means of the present inven-' tion associated therewith. Fig. 3 is anenlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 33 on Fig. 2, and 1 Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 in Fig. 3 illustrating the manner in which the lock member engages in the slot of the bolt.

The automatic door locking means of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally,

' electromagnetic means III at each vehicle door latch or lock L, a circuit II for the electromagnetic means I0 and means I2 for energizing the may be employed with various forms and types of locks and latchesjor holding vehicle doorsclosed. In the drawing I have shown the invention associated with one typical or conventional form of vehicle door lock L, it being understood that this is merely an illustrative application of the invention. Thelock L shown is adapted to be secured in a vehicle door at its free edge or swinging edge and comprises a base or body I3 of steel, or the like. The lock body I3 is generally flat and rectangular and has an outstanding ridge or flange "extending along its edge which is located at the swinging edge of the door. The sliding bolt I5 of the lock passes through an opening in the flange I4 to cooperate with the keeper (not shown) in the jamb of thedoorway. A slot I6 occurs in the rear portion of the bolt I5 and a stud H is fixed to the plate or body l3 and passes through the slot I6 to assist in guiding the bolt I5.

the outer face of the bolt I5 to assist in steadying the bolt. A coiled spring I9 has an end part cooperating with an car 20 on the bolt I5 to urge the bolt to the closed position. The look further A head I8 on the stud I I overlies includes a mechanism 2| for manually throwing or shifting the bolt ii. The present invention is not primarily concerned with the mechanism means ll includes a flexible resilient arm 22. The arm 22 is in the nature of a light spring arm orleaf spring having one end anchored to the bolt end secured to a raise'dportion of the bolt l5 by a screw 23. The arm 22 is preferably electrically or magnetically connected with the bolt I5. The

ii. In the case illustrated the arm 22 has one magnetic means l0 associated with the lock or latch of each door of the vehicle. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 1' of the drawing, there are four electromagnetic means In for the four doors of the vehicle.

'The circuit H for the electromagnetic'means 10 connects the several coils for simultaneous energization and simultaneous de-energization. The coils 25 of the several electromagnetic means ID are connected in parallel and it is preferred to connect them in a simple single wire circuit to simplify the installation and reduce the cost. As

illustrated in'Fig. 1 of the drawing the circuit H includes what may be termed a main line extending from the electrical circuit system of the vehicle engine, as will be later described, and passin through the instrument panel or dash board portion of the vehicle. Branches 3| extend from sprin arm 22 extends longitudinally of the bolt LII, that is, it extends rearwardly toward the inactive or rear end of the bolt. As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing the spring arm 22 curves or slopes outwardly away from the face of the bolt I! as it extends rearwardly. The rear end portion of the arm 22 overlies the slot l6.

' The electromagnetic means further includes an electromagnetic coil carried by the arm 22.

The coil embodies a suitable spool 24 on the outer end of the arm 22. The spool 24 is fixed to the side of the arm 22 which opposes the bolt 15 and the longitudinal axis of the spool is substantially.

normal to the axis of..movement of the bolt'l5. The spool 24 may be secured to the arm 22 by any selected means. In the simple case illustrated ears or lugs 21 on the outer end of the spool are formed over and clamped to the arm 22 to fix the spool to the arm. The spool 24 is formed of magnetic material for the reason to be later described. A sultable'winding 25 of light wire is provided on the spool 24. The inner end of the spool 24 is preferably flat and the spool is proportioned so that .it will not enter the slot l3. Accordingly, the spool 24 has a flat end face adapted to cooperate with the surface of the bolt ii at the mouth of the slot Hi.

In accordance with the invention the spool 24 carries or is provided with a part 26 adapted to enter the slot l8. In practice, the part 26 may be an integral portion of the spool 24. The part 23 projects from the end of the spool 24 and occurs at the end of a diametric key or ridge 9 on the spool end. The ridge 9 is fiat sided and proportioned to enter the slot 16 (see Fig. 4). The part 28 is formed and positioned to enter the forward end portion of the slot l 6, that is, theend the main line 30 and'each branch 3| has an end connected with a terminal of coil 25.. The other terminals of the coils 25 are grounded, for example, they may be grounded to the spring arm 22 as at 32, Fig. 3. The leads or branches 3| extending .to the coils 25 may have flexible insulated portions running along the spring arms 22 to their respective coils 25. It is preferred to interpose an emergency switch or safety switch in the circuit 1 I to permit the operator of the of the slot most remote from the stud I]. This I relationship is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. It may be desired to slope the outer or active face of the part 25 so that its cooperation with the end of the slot l5 resists disengagement fromthe slot. Fig. 3 of the drawing illustrates the manner in which the surface of the part 26 may be sloped for engagement with the end wall of the slot 16. The parts are formed and related so that the spool 24 freely and entirely clears the stud head I! when the spool moves into engagement with the bolt 15, thus insuring the engagement of the part 23 in the slot IS. The inner flange portion a of the spool 24 maybe-quite thick to dependably resist distortion andbreakage when engaged between the end wall of the slot l6 and the stud head It, as will be more fully described.

It is to be understood that there is an electro:

vehicle or a passenger to de-energize the electromagnetic lock means I0 when the vehicle engine is in operation. The switch 35 may be a simple push button switch and is normally closed. The

switch 35 may be located at the instrument panel or dash board where it is readily accessible to the driver or operator of the vehicle. It is to be observed that the circuit H for the electromagnetic means Iii-is extremely simple and easy to install. The branches 3| leading to the respective electromagnetic means In may have flexible insulated and protected portions leading from the door frames to the jamb portions of the vehicle doors, (not shown). The single wire circuit IL- is very easily installed in the vehicle body structure at the time of manufacture or even subsequent to the fabrication of the vehicle.

The means I2 is operable to automatically energize the electromagnetic means I0 so that the magnetic attraction or force set up by the coils 25 movesthe electromagnetic means to positions where the parts 25 engage in the slots l6 and where the, end of the spools 24 engage the faces of the bolts l5 so that the spools will cooperate with the stud heads l8 to prevent retraction or operation of the bolts I5. The means I2 is associated with the electrical system of the vehicle engine to be energized 'by the E.. M. F. produced by the generator G of the electrical system.. It is to be understood that the means 12 may be adapted for employment with electrical engine systems of various kinds;- and that the disclosure in the drawing is merely conventional and illustrative. The electrical system of the vehicle as illustrated includes the ignition system 36 having a lead 31 governed by the key controlled ignition switch 38. eluding head lamps 39 and a tail lamp 40 has a main lead or feeder lead 4| controlled by a switch 42.- The .usual storage battery 43 has a lead connected with one terminal of the ammeter 44 and a line 45 extends from'the other terminal of the ammeter to the cut out or circuit breaker A lighting circuit intypical or conventional design.v As diagramstud head I6. Thus, the lowter flange portion matically illustrated, the circuit breaker comprises a coil 48 having one pole connected in the line 41 from the generator G and the other pole grounded. The coil 48 operates a movable contact 49. As illustrated, the movable contact 49 is electrically connected in the line 41 from the generator G and when actuated by the coil 48 is adapted'to engage a stationary contact56 v forming the terminus of the line 45 from the ammeter 44. When the speed of the generator G reaches the value where the generator voltage is sufficient to energize the coil ,48 the contact 49 cooperates with the contact 50 to cut the generator G into the ignition and lighting circuits.-

This is conventional practice.

The means I2 of the invention includes a stationary contact 5| at the circuit breaker 46 forming the terminus of the line 36 leading to' the electromagnetic means III. A movable contact 52 is electrically connected in the line 41 from the generator G and is adapted to cooperate with the stationary contact 5I when the coil 48 is energized. In practice, the contact 52 may be connected in gang relation to the coningly, the doors of the vehicle may be opened and closed without interference by the automatic door lock means. the vehicle is started and operated to drive the vehicle the generator G is, ofcourse, driven or operated. When the output of the generator G.

reaches a given value the coil 48 of the circuit breaker 46 is energized. Energization of the coil 48 moves the contact 49 into engagement with the contact 50 to cut the generator into the ignition and lighting circuits of the vehicle and the contact 52 is moved into engagement with the contact 5|. Upon engagement of the contact 52 with the contact 5I the circuit II is supplied with current from, the generator G'and the electromagnetic means III are all simultaneously energized.

Upon energization of the coils 25 of the means II) the electromagnets are attracted to the bolts I5. In this connection it will be observed that the magnetic fields or fluxes are concentrated at the parts 26. These concentrated magnetic fields assure the sudden attraction of the spools 24 to the bolts I5 and the spools are attracted to the bolts with such force that the parts 26 fully enter the slots I6. The attraction of the magnetic spools 24 to the bolts I5 brings the ends of the spools against the faces of the bolts so that the ends of the spool lie in the same planes as the stud heads I8. The spools 24 remain in these positions so long as the engine oi the vehicle is operated by a suiiicient speed to maintain the coil 48 of the circuit breaker 46 energizedr with the electromagnetic means I0 energized so that the parts 26 are engaged in the slots I6 the bolts I5 are locked against retraction and the vehicle doors cannot be opened. If an attempt is made to throw a bolt I5 for the purpose of opening the door the spool 24 of that bolt is almost immediately brought into. engagement with the When the engine of of the spool 24 with its part 26 forms a positive stop for preventing retraction of the bolt. It will be observed that the lower flange portion of the spool 2-4 and the part 26 thereon are subjected to compression between the end of the slot I6 and the stud head I8 and the spool, while quite small, is capable of withstanding very heavy compression or shear forces of this nature without failing or distorting... It is to be observed that all of the door looks or latches are simultaneously locked against opening when the cut out or circuit breaker 46 operates. There is no need for the driver or operator to manipulate, parts at the individual locks and the locking means is entirely automatic.

. When the speed of the vehicle engine is reduced to below the point where the coil 48 is energized or where the engine is stopped, the cut out or. circuit breaker 46 opens so that the circuit to the several electromagnetic means It is opened. Upon opening of the circuit to the means III the spring arms 22 automatically flex outwardly to disengage the parts 26 from the slots I6 and to bring the spools 24 to positions spaced from and entirely clear of the bolts I5. Thus, the automatic lock means of. the several doors are automatically released so that the doors may be opened.

It is to be particularly noted that the automatic lock means of the present invention may be embodied in an automotive vehicle, or the like, with a minimum of expense or alteration. The standard or conventional locks L of the vehicle require no alteration whatsoever. The spring arms 22 carrying the means I0 may be easily and appropriately applied to the locks in such a way that the parts 26 and the coil spools 24 will be engaged between a moving lock part and a stationary lock part. The electromagnetic means III are very small so that they may be incorporated in or added to the conventional lock without increasing the size of the lock or th lock case. The circuit II for the electromagnetic means III may be a single wire circuit as shown and may be easily embodied in the vehicle. The means I2 requires a minimium of alteration to the conventional or standard out out or circuit breaker 46. The contacts 5I and 52 may be incorporated in the circuit breaker at a minimum cost.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted tov the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that ma appear to those skilled in the, art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a vehicle having an engine-operated generator, and a door ock having relatively movable parts with oppos'ng surfaces.

an electromagnet, means supporti g the electro: I

tracted to said parts.

2. In combination with a vehicle having an engine-operated generator, and a door lock having relatively movable parts with opposing surfaces, an electromagnet, spring means supporting the electromagnet in a position where it will be attracted to said parts to assume a position between said surfaces when the magnet is energized, a circuit for the electromagnet, and a relay operable to connect said circuit with the output side of the generator when the output of the generator reaches a given value.

3. In combination with a. vehicle having an engine-operated generator, and a door lock having relatively movable parts with opposing surfaces, an electromagnet, a spring arm on one part normally supporting the electromagnet in a, position clear of said surfaces and adapted to yield when the electromagnet is attracted to said parts so that the energized electromagnet assumes a, position between said surfaces, a circuit for the electromagnet, and a relay operable to maintain the circuit in connection with the output of the generator so long as the generator output is above a given value, the spring arm automatically returning the electromagnet to the position clear of said surfaces when the circuit is deenergized.

4. Ina lock means of the character described a body, a shiftable bolt, the body and bolt having opposing surfaces, a spring arm on the bolt, an electromagnet on the arm normally clear of said surfaces, and a part on the electromagnet movable between said surfaces when the electromagnet is energized.

' 5. In a lock means of the character described a body, a shiftable bolt having a slot, a stud on the body received in the slot, the bolt being formed of magnetic material, aspring arm on the bolt. and an electromagnet on the arm attracted to the bolt when energized and having a part adapted to enter the slot in front of the stud to prevent movement of the bolt;

6. In combination with a vehicle having an engine driven generator and a lock having relatively movable parts formed of magnetic material, a relay operated when the output of the generator reaches a, given value, a spring arm on one of said parts, an electromagnet on the arm attracted to said parts to prevent relative movement between the same whenenergized, a circuit for the magnet, and contacts at the relay for connecting said circuit with the output of the generator when the relay is operated.

JOSEPH A. BURGARD. 

